Emotional Intimacy and Power in Queer Romantic Relationships: A Phenomenological Inquiry
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Authors
Calcagni, Jessica
Issue Date
2026-02
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
queer relatonships , socioculturally attuned family therapy , phenomenology
Alternative Title
Abstract
Queer couples navigate complex intersections of intimacy, power, and sociocultural context, yet systemic models in marriage and family therapy have historically reflected heteronormative assumptions. This study addressed the need for culturally attuned frameworks that honor relational diversity by exploring how queer couples define and experience emotional intimacy and power. Guided by socioculturally attuned family therapy (SCAFT), this phenomenological study examined how twelve queer couples in relationships of three years or longer constructed equity, connection, and relational responsibility within broader social contexts. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, with trustworthiness supported through reflexive journaling, peer debriefing, and member checking. Findings revealed three dimensions of queer relational experience: sharedness and turning inward and toward, reflecting intimacy through patience, curiosity, and self-awareness; mutual trust and (re)defining power dynamics, illustrating power as fluid and collaborative; and acknowledge, accept, and accommodate, describing how partners navigated contextual influences, including finances, health, and neurodivergence, to sustain equity. These results support SCAFT’s focus on relational ethics and contextual awareness, suggesting that equity and attunement are co-created through shared vulnerability, repair, and responsiveness. Therapists are encouraged to adopt socioculturally attuned and neuroaffirming practices that strengthen emotional safety, relational flexibility, and shared influence. Future research should expand to include more racially and geographically diverse samples, explore nonverbal communication, and examine the impact of a lack of relational scripts. This study contributes to advancing culturally responsive and relationally just frameworks in marriage and family therapy theory, research, and practice that reflect queer couples’ relational experiences.